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Pillar of White Flame
© 2016 by Walter Reimer
This is a sequel to The Gray Tower, which is a sequel to The Black Chapel. It’s not really necessary to read the previous two stories, but they provide important plot points and great yiff, so you’re missing out if you don’t. Just saying.
Chapter 23’s won the Last Tango in Paris Award for Gratuitous Use of Butter in a Sex Scene!
Art by
whitearabmare
_______________________
Part 30.
By sunset, the pyre had burned down to ashes. Meki and the Queen left with the nobles to head back to the Keep, where a dinner was being prepared. It was traditional for the nobility to meet with their new ruler in a less formal setting after the old one was buried.
The interment of Aroki IV’s ashes on the Silver Mountain was a matter for the High Priest and the rest of the Hierarchy.
Falra gave her son a sidelong look. “Are you feeling all right, Meki?”
The elk buck gave her a forced smile. “I should ask you that, Mother.”
“But I’m not running the country. You are.” She sighed. “I’m not even Queen anymore.” Tradition required the Queen to relinquish her title on her husband’s death. Becoming a nun or priestess was a usual occupation, but Falra had been a noble in her own right before her marriage. “After Seffa has your fawn, my dear, I may go back to my old demesne for a while – Meki? What’s wrong, son?”
Meki flinched. “It’s started to hit me now, Mother. When Father . . . got sick,” and he paused to get control of himself, “I had to read and sign paperwork, but it was always him that had the final word. That’s my responsibility now.”
She squeezed his arm. “You’ll do well, my son,” the doe said. “And you’ll have Rolna and the others to turn to if you need advice.”
Meki nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
***
Clouds of fragrant incense smoke spiraled into the air as the metal casket containing the King’s ashes was set down on a stone plinth. The monks that had followed the casket moved to form a semicircle around it as the three Guarantors stepped forward and knelt before the plinth.
No one spoke during this part of the ceremony, obeying Dator’s strict commandment in The Book of Skulls, “All shall be silent, in awe and reverence, before the Gate of the Hall of Shadows.”
High Priest Lefra got to his feet, followed by Master Kulorn and Duchess Rolna, and the lupine cleric stepped forward to the wooden door set into the mountainside. He tapped the door three times with his staff, and the assembled Hierarchs asked in unison, “Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki son of Nolki, the fourth of his name, King of Shuga and Lord of Issem,” Lefra replied.
“We know him not,” the other Hierarchs intoned.
Again, the High Priest knocked.
“Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki, a brave warrior, a loving husband, and a devoted father.”
“We know him not.”
Lefra knocked for the third time.
“Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki, a mortal, craving rest with his ancestors.”
The Hierarchs of Dator and Regali stepped forward, unlocked the door and opened it wide. Standing on either side of the threshold they chorused, “Enter, Aroki, and rest with your ancestors.” Monks of Dator and Regali came forward, raised the casket, and carried it into the chamber. When it had been placed beside his father’s ashes, monks adherent to Azos and Perin wafted more incense over it, and backed out of the cave before the Hierarchs closed and locked the door.
It wasn’t until they were halfway back to the city when Kulorn spoke. “Do . . . do you think Meki will stay within bounds?” The bull glanced at the wolf and the canine.
“I think he will,” Rolna said after thinking the question over. “At least for a time. Watching his father die in front of him – and knowing that it was his actions that may have contributed to that – seems to have sobered him. Saragi?”
The wolf waggled a paw. “It may, but it may be only temporary. I’ll have a word with his chaplain – “
“Why, Saragi!” Rolna said, grinning. “Having a priest spy for you?”
“Not spying, Your Grace,” the wolf replied. “Keeping me informed, just in case. And don’t you tell me that you won’t have ears and eyes in the Royal Keep.”
“Very well, I won’t tell you,” and all three chuckled.
***
”I snap my fingers at those fools who say that some are born to rule, others to be ruled. Why, look upon me! I am not the largest, nor the tallest, nor the strongest of men, yet I have power such as cannot be ruled save by my own will, a will that can master others,” Halvrika read aloud that night. After dinner, she had gone to the Duke’s private apartments with what she felt was one of the most innocuous of the stories she had teased out of Jeresh the Black’s journals.
Duchess Ureffa had returned from her trip, and she sat by her husband’s side in a small, cozy sitting room near the private dining room. Halvrika sat a short distance away, the raccoon angling the parchment toward the fire so she could read it better.
”Of all creatures, I find men the easiest to seduce, for it is their pride that undermines their strength of will.” Halvrika caught the vixen taking her mate’s paw in hers as she read. ”I had paused in my wanderings, and found myself far to the east of my home,” and the story went on as Jeresh described in general terms how he had charmed an innkeeper out of a free meal and a room for the night. The tone of the story was rather light, but sneering at how easily others could be gulled by his natural charm.
She finished and looked up as Evoli remarked, “Conceited, wasn’t he?”
Halvrika chuckled while Ureffa tittered behind a paw. “I’ve noticed that, Your Grace – “
“I’ve told you before, Halvrika,” the fox said, “to use my given name when not in a formal setting. You don’t mind, do you Reffa?”
His wife leaned in close and kissed him. “Not at all, Evi.” To the raccoon she said, “We’re not as formal up here as they are in Shuganath, my dear, and while my dear mate may occasionally forget things,” and she giggled as he gave her a grumpy look, “I’ll make certain that he remembers this. Besides, you have a pretty name.”
“Thank you very much – Ureffa,” Halvrika said.
Evoli cleared his throat. “Er, yes, well. Still, Halvrika, it wasn’t much of a story, was it?”
“How so, Evoli?”
“You’ve told me that this fellow Jeresh was an evil man, so bad that the Order hunted him down and killed him after he left. I’m certain that Amb Tokarv didn’t learn what he learned from some story about tricking an innkeeper,” Evolis said in a sarcastic tone.
“I’ve transcribed several others, Evoli,” the sow said diffidently, “but I wasn’t sure – I mean, they’re a bit indecent – “
“We’re all adults here,” he pointed out. “Reffa and I’ve had children, and from what I’ve heard you’re not exactly inexperienced.” He laughed at the blushes his guest and his wife were sporting, and he stood up.
Halvrika got to her feet as Evoli walked over to her, his blue eyes meeting her gray-green. He rested a dark-furred paw on her shoulder and said, “I trust you and your abilities, Halvrika. Now, good night.”
“Thank you, Evoli. Goodnight to you both,” and the raccoon left the room.
***
The lizards growled and hissed in exhaustion as Trasta and her entourage finally rode into the Royal Keep’s courtyard. Even before her mount had stopped the elk doe had thrown a leg over its back and slid to the pavement, her iron-shod hooves striking sparks from the stone flags. Chelli caught the reins as she threw them to him and started to lead the lizard to the stables as Trasta turned to face the serjeant who ran up to her. “Highness!” the rabbit said a bit breathlessly. “We weren’t told you were coming – “
Trasta nodded as she stripped off her gloves. “I didn’t send anyone ahead. Where’s my mother?”
“Oh! Um, I expect she’s in her apartments – “ he trailed off as the doe nodded once, turned and went up the stairs, breaking into a run as she reached the doors.
The rabbit watched her go, then shook his head and started mustering a few men-at-arms to help unload and stable the lizards.
The entrance to the Royal Apartments was closed, and she hammered on the door with a fist. “Mother? Mother! It’s me, Trasta,” and she stepped back when she heard a key turn in the lock. The door opened a bit and she said to the lady-in-waiting, “I’m here to see the Queen.”
The fallow deer blinked, taking in the sight of the taller doe in travel-stained armor and Issem surcoat, and stepped aside. “Come in, Your Highness. I’ll go tell the Lady.”
The Lady? Oh, yes, that’s right, Trasta thought. She tossed her gloves on a nearby chair and crossed the room to the sideboard. She was in the middle of pouring a cup of wine when her ears swiveled at the sound of her mother’s hooves. Trasta put the cup down and turned around to face her. “Mother.”
Falra held out her arms and gathered her daughter in as Trasta started to cry. For a moment, the two women just held each other, the older one stroking the younger’s head and shoulders, letting her vent whatever sorrow and grief she still had in her after so many days.
Finally the younger doe loosened her grip on her mother and stepped back. She snuffled back a combination of tears and mucus, then raised a corner of her surcoat and blew her nose loudly. “Mother,” she said softly, “I’m sorry . . . I should have been here, should have gotten here faster – “
“Hush, my child,” Falra said. She gestured at a chair. “Blow your nose again and drink your wine, and I’ll – I’ll tell you all about it.”
Trasta meekly obeyed, but before she started the Queen raised a finger. “But I want a promise from you first.”
“Yes, Mother?”
“Do NOT go after your brother, seeking revenge.” Falra took a deep breath and rested her paws in her lap. “It wasn’t his fault, and he’s been berating himself about it ever since it happened.”
The younger doe snorted and her paws tightened around the cup. She got up, poured another measure of wine and sat back down. “I’m ready, Mother. Tell me, please.”
Falra took her time, keeping a close eye on her daughter as she told her everything. Trasta ground her teeth at the news that the Guarantors had exonerated her brother. “How,” and she paused as her voice broke, “how is Seffa?”
“She’s well, as well as can be expected. Her time is getting closer,” Falra replied. “Maybe a month.” She frowned as Trasta got to her hooves. “Where are you going?”
“To see Seffa – and Meki,” her daughter replied, her voice leaden.
Crown Princess Seffa looked up in surprise and then smiled as an attendant let the princess in. “Trasta! I’m so glad to see you!” There was a splash as the pregnant doe raised her arms from the bath and sat up to greet her sister-in-law. “I’m so sorry – about your father, and, and, everything.”
“It’s all right, Seffa.” Trasta patted Seffa’s paw. “How was the funeral?”
“Wonderful. I couldn’t go, of course,” and she rubbed her swollen abdomen, “but I heard that nearly everyone in the city attended, or paid their respects. Did you hear what happened that night?”
“No. Mother leave something out?”
“She might have. She was terribly embarrassed, and happy, and sad, and proud all at once,” and Seffa proceeded to tell her how the citizens had paid their respects to the Queen on the night the King had died. “It was a such a wonderful gesture by the commons, and – “ Her voice trailed off and she looked up, past Trasta’s shoulder, and her eyes went wide in fear.
Trasta turned to see her brother in the doorway.
***
Adept Swa’s eyes widened as his latest attempt at a translation spell suddenly made the almost illegible scrawls on parchment clear and readable. The pangolin felt his tail twitch as he scrambled to seize a pen and start transcribing the account. He had to stop and try again, as his nerves caused him to make mistakes.
He succeeded on his third attempt, cast a tiny spell to dry the ink and ran to see Master Lavura.
© 2016 by Walter Reimer
This is a sequel to The Gray Tower, which is a sequel to The Black Chapel. It’s not really necessary to read the previous two stories, but they provide important plot points and great yiff, so you’re missing out if you don’t. Just saying.
Chapter 23’s won the Last Tango in Paris Award for Gratuitous Use of Butter in a Sex Scene!
Art by
whitearabmare_______________________
Part 30.
By sunset, the pyre had burned down to ashes. Meki and the Queen left with the nobles to head back to the Keep, where a dinner was being prepared. It was traditional for the nobility to meet with their new ruler in a less formal setting after the old one was buried.
The interment of Aroki IV’s ashes on the Silver Mountain was a matter for the High Priest and the rest of the Hierarchy.
Falra gave her son a sidelong look. “Are you feeling all right, Meki?”
The elk buck gave her a forced smile. “I should ask you that, Mother.”
“But I’m not running the country. You are.” She sighed. “I’m not even Queen anymore.” Tradition required the Queen to relinquish her title on her husband’s death. Becoming a nun or priestess was a usual occupation, but Falra had been a noble in her own right before her marriage. “After Seffa has your fawn, my dear, I may go back to my old demesne for a while – Meki? What’s wrong, son?”
Meki flinched. “It’s started to hit me now, Mother. When Father . . . got sick,” and he paused to get control of himself, “I had to read and sign paperwork, but it was always him that had the final word. That’s my responsibility now.”
She squeezed his arm. “You’ll do well, my son,” the doe said. “And you’ll have Rolna and the others to turn to if you need advice.”
Meki nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
***
Clouds of fragrant incense smoke spiraled into the air as the metal casket containing the King’s ashes was set down on a stone plinth. The monks that had followed the casket moved to form a semicircle around it as the three Guarantors stepped forward and knelt before the plinth.
No one spoke during this part of the ceremony, obeying Dator’s strict commandment in The Book of Skulls, “All shall be silent, in awe and reverence, before the Gate of the Hall of Shadows.”
High Priest Lefra got to his feet, followed by Master Kulorn and Duchess Rolna, and the lupine cleric stepped forward to the wooden door set into the mountainside. He tapped the door three times with his staff, and the assembled Hierarchs asked in unison, “Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki son of Nolki, the fourth of his name, King of Shuga and Lord of Issem,” Lefra replied.
“We know him not,” the other Hierarchs intoned.
Again, the High Priest knocked.
“Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki, a brave warrior, a loving husband, and a devoted father.”
“We know him not.”
Lefra knocked for the third time.
“Who craves admittance?”
“Aroki, a mortal, craving rest with his ancestors.”
The Hierarchs of Dator and Regali stepped forward, unlocked the door and opened it wide. Standing on either side of the threshold they chorused, “Enter, Aroki, and rest with your ancestors.” Monks of Dator and Regali came forward, raised the casket, and carried it into the chamber. When it had been placed beside his father’s ashes, monks adherent to Azos and Perin wafted more incense over it, and backed out of the cave before the Hierarchs closed and locked the door.
It wasn’t until they were halfway back to the city when Kulorn spoke. “Do . . . do you think Meki will stay within bounds?” The bull glanced at the wolf and the canine.
“I think he will,” Rolna said after thinking the question over. “At least for a time. Watching his father die in front of him – and knowing that it was his actions that may have contributed to that – seems to have sobered him. Saragi?”
The wolf waggled a paw. “It may, but it may be only temporary. I’ll have a word with his chaplain – “
“Why, Saragi!” Rolna said, grinning. “Having a priest spy for you?”
“Not spying, Your Grace,” the wolf replied. “Keeping me informed, just in case. And don’t you tell me that you won’t have ears and eyes in the Royal Keep.”
“Very well, I won’t tell you,” and all three chuckled.
***
”I snap my fingers at those fools who say that some are born to rule, others to be ruled. Why, look upon me! I am not the largest, nor the tallest, nor the strongest of men, yet I have power such as cannot be ruled save by my own will, a will that can master others,” Halvrika read aloud that night. After dinner, she had gone to the Duke’s private apartments with what she felt was one of the most innocuous of the stories she had teased out of Jeresh the Black’s journals.
Duchess Ureffa had returned from her trip, and she sat by her husband’s side in a small, cozy sitting room near the private dining room. Halvrika sat a short distance away, the raccoon angling the parchment toward the fire so she could read it better.
”Of all creatures, I find men the easiest to seduce, for it is their pride that undermines their strength of will.” Halvrika caught the vixen taking her mate’s paw in hers as she read. ”I had paused in my wanderings, and found myself far to the east of my home,” and the story went on as Jeresh described in general terms how he had charmed an innkeeper out of a free meal and a room for the night. The tone of the story was rather light, but sneering at how easily others could be gulled by his natural charm.
She finished and looked up as Evoli remarked, “Conceited, wasn’t he?”
Halvrika chuckled while Ureffa tittered behind a paw. “I’ve noticed that, Your Grace – “
“I’ve told you before, Halvrika,” the fox said, “to use my given name when not in a formal setting. You don’t mind, do you Reffa?”
His wife leaned in close and kissed him. “Not at all, Evi.” To the raccoon she said, “We’re not as formal up here as they are in Shuganath, my dear, and while my dear mate may occasionally forget things,” and she giggled as he gave her a grumpy look, “I’ll make certain that he remembers this. Besides, you have a pretty name.”
“Thank you very much – Ureffa,” Halvrika said.
Evoli cleared his throat. “Er, yes, well. Still, Halvrika, it wasn’t much of a story, was it?”
“How so, Evoli?”
“You’ve told me that this fellow Jeresh was an evil man, so bad that the Order hunted him down and killed him after he left. I’m certain that Amb Tokarv didn’t learn what he learned from some story about tricking an innkeeper,” Evolis said in a sarcastic tone.
“I’ve transcribed several others, Evoli,” the sow said diffidently, “but I wasn’t sure – I mean, they’re a bit indecent – “
“We’re all adults here,” he pointed out. “Reffa and I’ve had children, and from what I’ve heard you’re not exactly inexperienced.” He laughed at the blushes his guest and his wife were sporting, and he stood up.
Halvrika got to her feet as Evoli walked over to her, his blue eyes meeting her gray-green. He rested a dark-furred paw on her shoulder and said, “I trust you and your abilities, Halvrika. Now, good night.”
“Thank you, Evoli. Goodnight to you both,” and the raccoon left the room.
***
The lizards growled and hissed in exhaustion as Trasta and her entourage finally rode into the Royal Keep’s courtyard. Even before her mount had stopped the elk doe had thrown a leg over its back and slid to the pavement, her iron-shod hooves striking sparks from the stone flags. Chelli caught the reins as she threw them to him and started to lead the lizard to the stables as Trasta turned to face the serjeant who ran up to her. “Highness!” the rabbit said a bit breathlessly. “We weren’t told you were coming – “
Trasta nodded as she stripped off her gloves. “I didn’t send anyone ahead. Where’s my mother?”
“Oh! Um, I expect she’s in her apartments – “ he trailed off as the doe nodded once, turned and went up the stairs, breaking into a run as she reached the doors.
The rabbit watched her go, then shook his head and started mustering a few men-at-arms to help unload and stable the lizards.
The entrance to the Royal Apartments was closed, and she hammered on the door with a fist. “Mother? Mother! It’s me, Trasta,” and she stepped back when she heard a key turn in the lock. The door opened a bit and she said to the lady-in-waiting, “I’m here to see the Queen.”
The fallow deer blinked, taking in the sight of the taller doe in travel-stained armor and Issem surcoat, and stepped aside. “Come in, Your Highness. I’ll go tell the Lady.”
The Lady? Oh, yes, that’s right, Trasta thought. She tossed her gloves on a nearby chair and crossed the room to the sideboard. She was in the middle of pouring a cup of wine when her ears swiveled at the sound of her mother’s hooves. Trasta put the cup down and turned around to face her. “Mother.”
Falra held out her arms and gathered her daughter in as Trasta started to cry. For a moment, the two women just held each other, the older one stroking the younger’s head and shoulders, letting her vent whatever sorrow and grief she still had in her after so many days.
Finally the younger doe loosened her grip on her mother and stepped back. She snuffled back a combination of tears and mucus, then raised a corner of her surcoat and blew her nose loudly. “Mother,” she said softly, “I’m sorry . . . I should have been here, should have gotten here faster – “
“Hush, my child,” Falra said. She gestured at a chair. “Blow your nose again and drink your wine, and I’ll – I’ll tell you all about it.”
Trasta meekly obeyed, but before she started the Queen raised a finger. “But I want a promise from you first.”
“Yes, Mother?”
“Do NOT go after your brother, seeking revenge.” Falra took a deep breath and rested her paws in her lap. “It wasn’t his fault, and he’s been berating himself about it ever since it happened.”
The younger doe snorted and her paws tightened around the cup. She got up, poured another measure of wine and sat back down. “I’m ready, Mother. Tell me, please.”
Falra took her time, keeping a close eye on her daughter as she told her everything. Trasta ground her teeth at the news that the Guarantors had exonerated her brother. “How,” and she paused as her voice broke, “how is Seffa?”
“She’s well, as well as can be expected. Her time is getting closer,” Falra replied. “Maybe a month.” She frowned as Trasta got to her hooves. “Where are you going?”
“To see Seffa – and Meki,” her daughter replied, her voice leaden.
Crown Princess Seffa looked up in surprise and then smiled as an attendant let the princess in. “Trasta! I’m so glad to see you!” There was a splash as the pregnant doe raised her arms from the bath and sat up to greet her sister-in-law. “I’m so sorry – about your father, and, and, everything.”
“It’s all right, Seffa.” Trasta patted Seffa’s paw. “How was the funeral?”
“Wonderful. I couldn’t go, of course,” and she rubbed her swollen abdomen, “but I heard that nearly everyone in the city attended, or paid their respects. Did you hear what happened that night?”
“No. Mother leave something out?”
“She might have. She was terribly embarrassed, and happy, and sad, and proud all at once,” and Seffa proceeded to tell her how the citizens had paid their respects to the Queen on the night the King had died. “It was a such a wonderful gesture by the commons, and – “ Her voice trailed off and she looked up, past Trasta’s shoulder, and her eyes went wide in fear.
Trasta turned to see her brother in the doorway.
***
Adept Swa’s eyes widened as his latest attempt at a translation spell suddenly made the almost illegible scrawls on parchment clear and readable. The pangolin felt his tail twitch as he scrambled to seize a pen and start transcribing the account. He had to stop and try again, as his nerves caused him to make mistakes.
He succeeded on his third attempt, cast a tiny spell to dry the ink and ran to see Master Lavura.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Raccoon
Gender Female
Size 594 x 876px
File Size 91.6 kB
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